Radio receiving apparatus



Dec. 25, 1934. L, M. CLEMENT 1,985,403

RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS- Filed May 10, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1 457.1. 14 1.5 16' 2 ,Fdlgdl 5 10 I 1a 52 ZEI 53 INVENTOR 59 b LEWIS M. CLEMENT BY 61 WW 45 ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1934. L. M. CLEMENT 0 RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS I Filed May 10, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 103 INVENTOR v LEW/5 M. CLEMENT ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1934. L. M. CLEMENT RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 BYW Patented Dec. 25, 1934 UNITED STATES 1,985,403, Y :RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS Lewis M. Clement, Mountain Lakes, N. J assignor,

by mesne assignments, to FederalTelegraph Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of California Application May 10, 1929, serial No. 361,082

15 Claims.

This invention relates to broadcast receiving apparatusand particularly to a system-for actuating the tuning apparatus of a radio receiver at points remote from the receiver. v l One of the objects of this invention is to pro.- vide an apparatus for tuning a radioreceiver from a distance with means for visually indicating'at any particular control point, the precise position of the tuning apparatus at the radio receiver.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tuning system, the control ofwhich is uniform, both at the receiver and at the remote points.

A further object of this invention is, to provide a remote tuning control system for a radio receiver, which will permit a listener to change his position of operation in order to obtain maximum comfort in listening to the reproduced sound from a loud speaker.

A still further object of the invention is to pro-, vide a tuning system which permits thecomponent parts within the receiver to be arranged in their most advantageous manner.

A still further object is to provide a tuning system located at a distance from the receiver with means for controlling the volume at the distant tuning point.

A feature of the invention is that means are provided for indicating the frequency setting at any remote point, the energization or ole-energization of the receiving apparatus, and whether the tuning apparatus may be operated at the receiver or at a remote point.

This invention is a radio receiver which may be tuned from substantially any point in the home of the radio listener. Heretofore, radio remote control systems have been limited in the distance from the receiver at which the set may be tuned, bythelength of a cord from the receiver to the remote control point. Such a system, of course, necessitated the use of a cord which may ,or may not be woundupon a spring sheave to eliminate the extra cord. In the present invention, the only cord which will be used is that leading from an outlet in the wall to a remote control unit the length of which will be comparatively short. 'All other cables will be hidden in the walls or flooring of the building.

In this invention, the receiver may be tuned at the receiver in the same manner as at-a control point. This feature allows the receiver to be designed without regard to the locationof its tuning control, permitting the positioning of the component parts of the receiver in their optimum po-. sition for obtaining a better receiving circuit and a morecompact unit. The control buttons-and volume control knob may be located at convenient points on the cabinet.

The means employed inthis invention for rotating-the condensers of the receiver tuning-sysuatediin" broadcast frequencies or wavelengths which is actuated 'by'the voltage tapped from a potentiometer positioned on the rotating mechanism. The volume of the reproduced sound Y is controlled by a variable resistance in the plate .circuits of certain of the vacuum tubes employed.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent, and the invention more fully understood by reference to the description hereinafter following and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view offa radio cabinet,'containing a radio receiver, where one remote control unit may be usedin a plurality of outlets located at various points;

Fig. 2 is a schematic circuit drawing of the radio receiver of Fig. 1; I

Figs. 3 and 4.- are perspective and diagrammatic circuit views, respectively, of a remote control unit of the radio receiver of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig.5 is a diagrammatic circuit'drawing of a radio receiver circuit where a plurality of' remote control units are employed;

Fig.' 6 is a diagrammaticcircuit drawing of one of the remote control units of Fig. 5'.

Referring to the drawings, where similar ele-' ments are designated by identical numerals, and specifically. to Fig. 1, a cabinet 5 of any well known type is shown housing a'radiof"receiver whichis energized from the, common house lighting circuit by connection to aplug '6 through extension cord 7. Y The control ofthis 'radio'receiver is by means of on and off buttons 9 and 10, respectively, motor control buttonsll and 12 and a volume control knob 13, located on the side panel of the cabinet. It is to be under-'- stood, however, that these elements may be lo'- cated on the rear, front or top of the cabinet, as the location depends/solely on running the wires to any desired location. A red 1ighti14 i dicates that the set'may be controlled at the cabinet, while a green light 15 indicates that the control is at a remote point. The indicator lights together with a frequency or wave length scale 16 on the tuning shaft or some rotatable portion of the system may be located under a glass covered window to be seen when tuning is being accomplished at the receiver- This tuning scale may also be a voltmeter used in the same manner as at the remote control points. A cable 17 running under floors and in partitions contains the remote control wires leading to the remote points 18 shown in the form of outlet jacks which may be located in the baseboards or walls of different rooms.

Fig. 2 shows a circuitfor the control of the radio receiver of Fig. l. A represents a well known type of radio receiver which has its tuning.

condensers mounted on a single rotatable shaft. This receiver has three tuned radio stages 25, 26 and 2'7, feeding into a detector stage 28 with an indirectly heated cathode tube. The radio receiver is supplied from rectifier-power stage unit shown at B. Thisrectifier-amplifier unit consists of'two audio frequency stages 29 and 30, a power transformercl, a rectifying tube '32, filter33 and a potentiometer 34. A loud speaker 38 changes the" electrical vibrations into sound vibrations.

The remote control portion of this invention located at the re'ceiverincludes an .eddy current motor '40, with its driving coils 41 and 42. The shaft of this motor is mechanically connected to the tuning condensers of the radio receiver A,

the connection being diagrammatically illus trated by the' broken lines." A .potentiometer "44 with its adjustable contact 45, is shown mounted on the eddy current motorshaft but may be mounted on-the condenser shaft. Relays 46 and 4.7 am. alsolocatedin'thecabinet5. Relay 46 has contacts 65 'to 71, respectively, while relay 47lhas contacts .73 to '79, respectively, the operation of which'will'be explained hereinafter.

Thecontrol elements at the cabinet are the on and off buttons'9 and 10, respectively, themotor control buttons 11 and 12, the volume control knob 13 and the red ,andrgreen lights 14 and .15, respectively, whichare mounted as described above in connection with Fig; 1. The cable .17is shown comprising the individual wires 50 to 61, inclusive. Arem'ote control unit' 35 asshown in perspective and diagrammatic views in Figs. 3 and 4,'respectively, will :be described in connection with Fig. 2when the operation of the circuitlis presented. "This unit is shown plugged into one :of the "outlet jac'ks'l8 by means of a plug-86 and cable 87.

The motor control buttons ,or switches 11 and 12 are carbon pile resistances of any well known type which :provide means for controlling the speed of the motor-aswe'll as controllingits direction of rotation. Referring specifically to Figs. 3 and 4, on and off buttons 89 and 90, respectively, red and green lights 91 and 92, motor control buttons 93 and94, volumecontrol knob 95 and a wave length indicatingscale 96 are shown together with conductors 50 to 61, inclusive, leading to these elements.

The operation of the circuit shown in Figs. 2 and .4, is as follows: 'When it is desired to tune the receiver at the cabinet, pressing the on button "9 energizes the receiver from the supply wires '7 by a .circuit which may be traced over conductor 100, conductor 101, on button 9, coil of relay 46,=conductor 102 and conductor 103.

button itself, while the off switch is normally closed except when pressure is placed on the button control 10. The on button 9 may return to its open position after the coil of the relay 46 has been energized over a circuit through it,

since the relay remains energized or locked up over a locking circuit. including conductor 100, conductorlOl, off? button 10, conductor 60, off

*button'90 of 'the remote control unit, conductor 61,'shown:in Figs. 2 and 4, conductor 62, contact 78, contact 65, coil of the relay 46, conductor 102 arid-conductor 103. From this circuit itisobvious-that'pressingof either the off button 10 at the -receiveryor the "off button at the remote control unit, de-energizes the relay 46 and breaks the power' supply circuit, thereby deenergizing the set.

When it is desired to rotate the condenser shaft in onedirection when the relay 46 is energized, pressure on'the motor control button 11 completes a circuit from motor coil 41, contact 68, motor controlbutton 11, off button 10, conductor 101, conductor 100, through the power source, conductor 103, conductor 102, contact '71 and back to the motor coil 41. To rotate the motor in the opposite direction with the control at the cabinet, pressure'on the button 12 completesa circuit from motor coil 42, contact 69, motor control button 12, off buttonlo, conductor 101, conductor 100, through the power source, conductor 103, conductor 102, contact 71 and :back to the motor coil 42. Uponthe amount of pressure on buttons 11 or 12'depends the resistance of these units which controls the speed of the motor 40 in the respective directions. The position of the tuning condenser may be observed on the scale 16 shown in Fig. 1.

To energize the receiver from a remote point when 'thereceiver is off, it is only necessary to press the button .89, and the relay47 becomes energized changing the control to that particular remote point. However, while the relay 46 is actuated,'which allows the receiver to be tuned at the cabinet and the control is desired at a remote point it is necessary to first press off button:90 dc-energizing relay 46 and then press on button 89 to energize relay 47. Red indicating light 14 at the cabinet is energized when the control is at the cabinet over a circuit beginning at the energizing secondary winding 106 over :conductor 107, red light 14, contact '70 and conductor 108, while red light 91 at the remote point is energized over conductor 10'7, conductor 59in cable 17, red light 91, conductor 56, contact '70 and conductor 108. In other words, these lamps are connected in parallel and energized from the'winding 106.

Volume control is accomplished by a series resistance in the common plate circuit of the radio frequency stages 25 and 26 over a circuit starting at these stages and continuing over conductor 110, control rheostat 13, contact 67, conductor 111, potentiometer 34, rectifier 32, potentiometer '34 and to the filament of the tubes at stages '25 and 26.

When it is desired to change the control point .quired, this unit being from the cabinet to remote point 85,-button 90 is pressed de-energizingrelay 46, breaking contacts 65, 67,68,619, '70 and '71, and makingcontact- 66. Pressing button 89then energizes-"relay 4'7 over a circuit including conductor 100, 'conductor'lOl, off button 10, conductor" 60, on button 89, conductor- 50, winding of relay 4'7, conductor 102 and conductor 103 which makes contacts '73, '74, '75, '76, "77 and "79" and breaks contact '78; Relay 4'7 is locked up'after its'respective contactsare made or broken over a cir cuit including conductors 100,101 and 60, remote control off button 90, conductors 61 and 62, contacts 66 and '79, winding of relay 4'7 and conductors 102 and 103;

- Tuning of the set may now be accomplished at a remote point, inthe same manner as at the receiver cabinet. I The green light 15 at the cabinet, indicating that the control is at a remote point, hasa circuit over secondary windinglOG, conductor 107, green light 15, contact I4 and conductor 108. Green 'light'92, over a circuit employing conductors 10'7, 59,55and 108, is energized at the remote point 85. Volume control is accomplished over the remote control conductors 51 and 58, while the'position of the tuning condensers is registered over a circuit includingree mote control conductors 54 and 5'7. When it is desired to rotate the tuning condensers in one direction, the motor coil 41 is" energized over a circuit extending from the coil 41 over contact '76, conductor 52,:remote' motor control button 93, remote off button 90, conductor 60, ofi button 10, conductors101, and 100, power source, conductors 103 and 102, contact '73 and .to the coil 41, while the circuit. for coil 42 extends from the coil over contact '75, conductor 53;remote motor control buttonu94, remote oif button 90, conductor 60 off button 10;'con ductors.101 and 100, power source, conductors 103 and 102, contact '73 and to coil 42; 1 1 From the above traced circuits, it is to be noted that a very flexible method of control of the radio receiver at the cabinet or at any'remote point is obtainedl The pressing of: an oil button and the subsequent pressing of the fon button, switches the control from one point to any other point at which it is desired to tune the receiver. Only one remote control unit is retakento the listener's point of reception and plugged into the outlet jack nearest to him. The cable 8'7 permits considerable change in the. listeners position in the neighborhood of the outlet jack being used. All

, the circuits are in parallel with the exception of the circuit which permits the controlto be transferred from one point to another. This circuit is maintained at all times by closing circuit springs in the outlet boxes 18. i I i i The circuits of Figs. 5 and 6 are substantially identical with those of Figs. 2 and 4. However, as a control unit is provided at each remote point, it is unnecessary, of course, to show at what point the control is as the receiver may be controlled from any position at any time. Therefore, only one light 91,, which may give a red indication, is employed to show whether the set is energized or de-energized. Also the use of multiple control units simplifies the relay and circuits which will be explained hereinafter. The radio set and power supply unit of Fig. 2 is represented by the blocks A and B in Fig. 5. 1 1

To energize the radio receiver, the .on. button 9 at the cabinet, or any one of the remote control on buttons 89 at the remote control sup ly.

doctor-i100.

points may be pressed. This action actuates the relay and connects the power source tothe set. For on button 9, the' circuit is over conductor 100,'conduct0r 101, on switch 9, winding of relay 1-14,'c 0nductor 102 and back to the power supplyJWh'en the relay 114 is energized it makes contacts 115 and 116. Through a circuit over conductor 100, conductor'101,offbutton 10, in series through the other off'f buttons 90 at the remote points-through the contact 115 winding of the' relay 114, conductor 102, and the energy therelay-114 is locked up. Since this cir-. cuit-is in series throughall of the off buttons, itis obvious that the circu't may be broken, and the receiver made inoperative from any remote point or at the cabinet. The volume control circuit is also a series circuit through rheostats '13 and permitting the control of volume to be effected' overthe conductors 1'10 and lllat anyof the tuning locations. i The-energizing circuit for the-rectifying unit is over conductor 102, contact 116, conductor 104 through the power transformer primary,an'd con- I The "conductors 107 and 108, of course, supply the tuning indicating voltmeter's 9 6;a'ndtheindicating red lights 14 and 91*at their respective locations in a multiple arrangement. The control for-rotating the tuning conde'nsers in one direction is acircuit through coil 41', over a lea-dto any or the buttons 11 or 93 in parallel and back over a common circuit through the off buttons, conductor 101, conductor 100, the powersupply; conductor 102, contact '116 to 0011 41. The energizing circuit for coil 42 is over a lead to anyof buttons 12 and 94 and back over the circuit just traced for coil 41. I x "With this type of remote controlsyStemjthe moving of a unit from'one remote point to another remote'point iseliminated, These various remote control "units may, be placed in convenient locations in the'various rooms of .a home, inthe walls of a room or" in anout of the way place where they"maybe rea"ched when it is desired to adjust I theftuning of'theflradio receiver.

. The circuits shown anddescribed above are also adaptable where, the receivingunit is placed in a location remote from that of the loud speaker 38 such as the cellar or attic. Although the invention is shown embodied in a particular type of radio 'receiver,-and in connec-f tion with two specific remote control circuits, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments but only by the scopeoi the appended claims.

I What isclaimedis:

, 1. nicombinationwith a radio.receivingsetprovided with -a mechanical tuningmechanism and a remote controlsocket, a local control unit at said receiving set, a portable remote .control unit adapted to be plugged intosaid socket, said portable unit and'said local unit each being provided with on and"ofi buttons, a frequency indicator and avolume controllen means under control of said local control-unit to transfer the controlfrom saidremote; control unit to said local control unit, means under control of said remote control unit to'transfer the controlof said/setfrom said local control unit to the remote controlunit, and means at each control unit to indicate which ofsaid control units is operative.

l 2. A radio receiver having motor operated tuning apparatus, including a motor rotatably connected'to the common shaft of a plurality of tun ing elements, means including variable'resistances for-controlling the direction of rotation of said motor and the -s pe.ed thereof, remoterontrol means for energizing and tie-energizing said radio receiver, local control means for said receiver, said local and remote control, means comprising relays located at said receiver, .said relays being operative to .change the control of :said receiver from one position to another.

3. in a radio receivingsystem, -.a receiver, tuning means therefor, a motor for controlling said tuning means, :a first means located at the receiver and a second means located at a remote point'forzcontrolling:said motor, relay means 10- catedat the receiver responsive to theoperation of flrSWlliCh located-at the receiver and :to the operation of anotherswitch located at-the remote point forplacing said motor under control of said first and second means, respectively, and means at each station namely at the receiver and at :the remote point for transferring control of the .receiver thereto from the other stationand for preventing continuance of control at said other sta- .tion.

4. In (a radio receiving system, a receiver, tuning means .and a power supply therefona motor for controlling said tuning means, aefirst means located atthe receiver and a second means located at aremotepoint, for .controllingsaid motor, relay means located at the receiver responsive to the operation of a switch locatedat the receiver and to the operation of anotherswitch .locatedat the remote point, .for placing saidmotor under'control of .said first and .secondmeans, respectively, and for associating .said power supply with the receiver, .and means at each station namely at the receiver and at .the remote point for transfez-ring control of thereceiver thereto from the other station and .for preventing continuance of control at said other station.

,5. Ina radioreceiving system, a receiver, tuningmeans therefor, amotorfor controlling said tuning .means, a first means located at the receiver anda second means located at a remote point for controlling said motor, relay means located at the receiver and responsive to the operation of ,a switch located at the receiver for placingsaid motor undercontrol of said first means, said relay means being thereafter de-energizable in response to the operation of .a first switch located at the remotepoint to remove said motor from control of said first means, and being again responsive to the operation of a secondswitch located'at the remote point to place saidmotor under control of said secondmeans.

6. In a radio receiving system, areceiver, tun- 1 g means therefor, a motor for controlling said tuning means, a first means located at the receiver and 'a second means located at a remote point for controlling said motor, relay means located at :the receiver responsive to the operation of a switch located at the receiver and to the operation of another switch located at the remote point for placing said motor under control of said first and second means, respectively, and means'for indicating at b'oth'thereceiver and the remote point when the control is at the receiver and when-it is at the remote point, and a switch at each station namely at the receiver; and at the remote point for restoring said relay means to unoperated condition irrespective of the point from which said relay means was operated.

'7. In a radio receiving system, a receiver, tuning means therefor, means located at the receiver andother means located at a remote point for controlling said tuning means, and relay means located at the receiver but controlled alternately :at ithe receiver andfrom the remote point for :placing the tuning means under controlofthe tuning controlmeans/at the receiver and ,atthe remote point, respectively, and a switch at each station namely at thereceiver and at the remote point :for restoring said relay means to unoperated condition irrespective .of :the point from which saidrelay means was operated.

8. ,In a radio receiving system, a receiver, tuning means therefor, means located at the receiver and other means, located at a remote point for controlling said tuning means, relay means located .at the receiver, means located at the receiver and other means located at the remote point for controlling said relay means, the relay means being reflective when .controlled at the receiver for placing the tuning means under control of the tuning control means at the receiver, and 'being thereafter effective when controlled from the remote point to transfer said tuning means to the :control of the tuning conrol means located at the remote :point and to prevent continuance of control ,at said receiver.

9. ,In a radio receiving system, a receiver, :tuning means therefonmeans located at the receiver and other means located at a remote point for controlling said tuning "means, relay :meanslccated at the receiver, means located at the receiver and other means located at the .re-

mote point for alternately controlling said relay means, said relay means being effective when controlled from 'the remote point to place the tuning means under control of the tuning control means at the remote point, :and said relay means being effective when receiver for transferring the control of the tuning means to .the tuning control means at the receiver and to prevent continuance of control at ,saidremote point.

.10. In: a :radio receiving system, a receiver, tuning and volume control means located at the receiver and also at a remote point, said means being normally dis-emaciated from said receiver, relay means :located at the receiver for associating alternately with the receiver the tuning and volume control means located at the receiver and at the remote point, and means located at the receiver and other means located at the remote point for alternately controlling the relay means, and a switch at each station ceiver and at the remote point for restoring said relay means to unoperated condition irrespective of the point from which said relay means was operated.

11. .In a radio receiving system, a receiver, tuning means therefor, a motor for controlling said tuning means, .a first means located at the receiver and'a second means located at a remote point for controlling the motor, a first relay located 'att'he receiver for placing the motor under control of the :first means, a second relay located at the receiver for placing the motor under control of the second means, and a switch located at the receiver and another located at the remote point for controlling operation of the first and second relay, respectively, and another switch at each station for controlling the restoration of the operated one of said relays to unoperated condition. J

12. ;In a radio receiving system, a receiver, tuning means therefor, a .motor for controlling said tuning means, a first means located at the receiver and .a second means located at a remote point for controlling the motor, a first relay located at the .receiver and effective, when operthereafter controlled at the namely at the reated, to place the motor under control of the first means, a second relay located at the receiver and effective, when operated, to place the motor under control of the second means, the first and second relays being actuated upon the operation of a first switch at the receiver and at the remote point, respectively, and a second switch at each station for controlling the release of the actuated one of saidrelays.

13. In a radio receiving set, a radio receiver, tuning means therefor, a motor for controlling said means, control means located at each of a plurality of stations for controlling said motor, a relay located at said radio receiver controlling the operating circuit of the motor, a switch at one of said stations, an energizing circuit for the relay closed upon operation of said switch, a holding circuit for said relay established upon operation thereof, and means at each station for controlling the opening of said holding circuit.

14. In a radio receiving set, a radio receiver, tuning means therefor, a motor for controlling said means, control means located at each of a plurality of stations for controlling said motor, a relay located at said radio receiver controlling the operating circuit of the motor, a switch at one of said stations, an energizing circuit for the relay closed upon operation of said switch, a

holding circuit for said relay established upon operation thereof, and a switch at each station having normally closed contacts included in said holding circuit.

15. In a radio receiving set, a radio receiver, tuning means therefor, a motor for controlling said means, control means located at each of a plurality of stations for controlling said motor, a relay located at said radio receiver controlling the operating circuit of the motor, a switch at one of said stations, an energizing circuit .for the relay closed upon operation of said switch, a holding circuit for said relay establishedupon operation thereof, means at each station for controlling the opening of said holding circuit, a second relay located at said receiver for controlling said motor, an energizing circuit for the second relay extending through all stations, and a hold- I ing circuit for said second relay having said nor- LEWIS M. CLEMENT. 

